RAPID: Estimating the Impact of Population Growth on Development in Malawi

Malawi is experiencing rapid population growth—a growth trend that will significantly affect the country’s ability to meet basic needs such as those related to health, education, economy, and agriculture. This growth trend will also create challenges related to urbanization and infrastructure, including clean water and electricity. Formulating policies and programs to help Malawians access voluntary family planning services and meet their reproductive intentions will help decrease the fertility rate and slow population growth. Results from a 2017 application of the Resources for the Awareness of Population Impacts on Development (RAPID) model show how the country would be influenced by a reduction in the fertility rate (from 4.4 children per woman in 2015 to 2.3 in 2050) and illustrate the need for strong programs and policies to enable slower population growth and greater socio-economic development for Malawi.

News paper article for RAPID dissemination in Mchinji

Between May and June 2018, RAPID was disseminated to 14 districts: Balaka, Chikwawa, Chitipa, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mchinji, Mulanje, Nkhatabay, Nkhotakota, Salima, and Zomba. The District Executive Committee (DEC) members present during the disseminations acknowledged that rapid population growth is having a negative impact on social service delivery and expressed the need to incorporate population and development in their planning tools such the District Development Plans.